Calendar June 19-25

E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.

Other items

The City of Alexandria will host its Second Annual Film Festival at the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium (1108 Jefferson St.) from Sept. 25 through Sept. 28. The deadline to submit a film entry is June 16. To receive a submission form, visit www.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org.

Join City archaeologists and trained volunteers for an exciting program for kids of all ages at Alexandria Archaeology Family Dig Days. Be part of the fascinating archaeological investigation and discover firsthand the hidden clues left behind by the people who lived and worked there hundreds of years ago, by helping screen excavated soil. Monthly Family Dig Days will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, in Alexandria. The 2008 dates are on Saturdays: June 14; July 12; Aug. 16; Sept. 20 and Oct. 18. $5/person and spots fill up fast. Call 703-838-4399 or visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org to reserve a spot.

On Sundays from noon-5 p.m., visit the Waterfront and see history-inspired performances near the Torpedo Factory; do a “meet and greet” of early Alexandria residents and travelers near the Waterfront and lower King Street. Free. Visit www.historicalexandria.org for more.

In celebration of the exhibition “Setting the President’s Table: American Presidential China,” visitors to Mount Vernon will have a chance every day from June 1 to Aug. 31 to win a piece of porcelain featuring the Martha Washington “States” pattern. Drawings occur daily at 3 p.m. in the Shops at Mount Vernon, and the grand prize will be drawn on Aug. 31. No purchase is required, and visitors do not have to be present to win. Visit www.mountvernon.org or 703-780-2000.

On weekdays from June through August, from 10-11 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon., children ages 6-12 can hunt for Harry Potter’s favorite plants and explore their lore. Learn how to craft a wand and make potions. Groups welcome. $6/student. 703-642-5173. At Green Spring Garden, 4603 Green Spring Road.

On Saturdays from June 7 through Aug. 16 from 1-3 p.m., children ages 8-12 years can learn how to create a garden with hands-on activities and will be able to grow a garden. $10/student. At Green Spring Garden, 4603 Green Spring Road. To register, 703-642-5173.

See Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., in a whole new light – lantern light. Tour the 1785 tavern and 1792 City Hotel during the summer season with costumed guides as you experience the tavern as patrons did more than 200 years ago before the advent of electricity. Tours are every Friday night, June through August, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person ages 5 and up. Tours last approximately 30 minutes, with the last tour starting at 9:15 p.m. Call ahead to confirm tour date. For more information, call 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Garden Sprouts: Tops and Bottoms. 10 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Children ages 3-5 years can learn about plants we eat and then enjoy a healthy snack and make a garden. $6/child. To register, 703-642-5173.

Play Ball! 2 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Bring a camera and take a photo with Potomac Nationals mascot Uncle Slam, an item for his autograph and then hear a baseball story. Free. 703-339-4610.

Book Discussion. Discuss and then get signed copies of “The Dark Before the Light at Dawn” by Vanessa Grace at 10:30 a.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2500 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.

Workshop. Students can take part in a “Junk Mail Collage Workshop” from noon-3 p.m. at Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. $25/member; $35/non-member. Visit www.thedelrayartisans.org or 703-838-4826.

J is for June. 10:30 a.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2500 Sherwood Hall Lane. Children ages 2-5 can have fun with the alphabet and stories for the month of June. Free. 703-765-3645.

Open House and Reception. 6:30-8 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. The museum celebrates its 25th anniversary. Free. Enjoy free gift, refreshments and more. Visit www.alexblackhistory.org for more.

Summerquest. 10 a.m. children up to 5 can enjoy Kaydee puppets; children ages 6-12 at 4 p.m. can enjoy magician Michael Chamberlin. All at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Free. 703-519-5900.

Author Discussion. Charles E. Cobb, Jr. will discuss his new work “On the Road to Freedom: A Guided Tour of the Civil Rights Trail” from 6-8 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Free. Reservations suggested, 703-838-4356.

Reading Magic! 2:30 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. A magic show full of comedy and good old-fashioned fun with Turley the Magician for children ages 6-12. Free. 703-339-4610.

Music Performance. The Choralis will perform at 8 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St. See Haydn’s “Creation.” Tickets range between $25-$35 with discounts for students. Visit www.choralis.org or 703-237-2499.